If there is something I mean to do for Grace, it is to let her know all that is before her in that baby, to help her see the rightness in being profoundly grateful for something even when it is so hard. I see the connection starting to form: There is a line between her boy and her that makes her feel something when he feels something; there is a start of primal ferociousness growing beneath her breastbone, taking its rightful place there.

Chapter 9

Are you sure everyone knows I’m coming?” Chip asks. His voice is light, insubstantial. One heel taps rapidly, though soundlessly, against the car floor.

“They know,” I say. I don’t know why he’s so nervous. I wish I’d brought Frank, who makes everybody relax. But he really needed to go to the groomer’s. Diann will pick him up. It’s kind of nice having a roommate. Yesterday she bought groceries, and she brought home an English cucumber, which I’d never tried. Very good—hardly any seeds.

“Maybe I shouldn’t actually go in with you, though,” Chip says. “Maybe I should just wait outside.”

“You don’t have to come in. But you’re welcome to.”

“But do they know about the way I look?” His hand goes to his wound. Checking. Still there.

“Here’s what I told them. I said you were a friend of mine from out of town who is recovering from some surgery, and that you wanted to come to work with me. They’re all fine with your coming in. Even Ann Peters, which really surprised me. She wants us to have tea with her, in fact.”

He nods. Then, abruptly, he asks, “Would you mind turning the radio off?”

“Not at all.” I take a quick look at him. “Does your head hurt?”

“No worse than usual.”

“Do you need to take something?”

“I did.”

I pull into the parking lot of a White Hen, turn off the engine. “You okay? You still want to do this?”

“Yes. I do. I’m just … I was trying … Oh, goddamn it. What’s today?”

“Tuesday.”

“Tuesday.” He says the word as though he’s tasting it. “Okay. And it’s … June?”

“It’s August,” I say, gently. And feel my stomach lurch.

“August …”

“Seventh.”

“Okay.” He takes a huge breath in, smiles. “God. It’s embarrassing.”

“Yes.”